Super Bowl Champion Challenges ‘Disrespect’ From Patriots Narrative

A former Pro Bowler pushed back on the New England Patriots’ portrayal as a colossal underdog in their Super Bowl LX clash with the Seattle Seahawks.

The Seahawks are favored this Sunday, and much of the public has framed them as the far superior team. That includes several of Ryan Clark’s colleagues, but the ESPN analyst argued on Thursday’s “First Take” that the Patriots aren’t a scrappy underdog to overlook.

“We’ve got to stop talking about the New England Patriots like they’re Rocky Balboa and the Seattle Seahawks are Ivan Drago,” Clark said. “This is the Super Bowl. The New England Patriots are an extremely productive and good football team.”

Clark, who won a Super Bowl with the Pittsburgh Steelers, believes the right matchups exist for the Patriots to prevail. The former safety focused on a red-hot defense capable of pressuring Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold, especially if they sustain their improved red-zone defense.

The 46-year-old feels the Patriots can surprise everyone backing the Seahawks by forcing takeaways and making downfield passing plays. Clark wants everyone to take New England seriously amid an epic run to the Super Bowl.

“This game is gonna come down to, can the New England Patriots create turnovers defensively, and can Drake Maye make a few ‘wow’ plays to give this team chunks,” Clark said. “And so, to look at this game and say the New England Patriots don’t stand a chance or you expect them to get blown out before they can win is disrespect. Not only to the New England Patriots, but to Mike Vrabel, Drake Maye and especially this Zak Kuhr-led defense.”